Every living thing needs water to survive. And since ice is nothing more than water that’s been frozen solid, dogs can eat ice, right?
Yes, dogs can eat ice. However, there are a couple of things every dog owner should consider before feeding their beloved furbaby ice.
Is ice good for dogs?
The drinking of water and consumption of ice both satisfy every dog’s hydration needs. The biggest difference between the two is that drinking is the more efficient way to get hydrated, as it allows dogs to ingest water faster and in greater volumes.
However, there are occasions when ice is better for dogs than water.
Too much water too quickly
After rigorous physical activity (such as a walk or a game of fetch), a dog pants heavily and breathes more quickly in an attempt to cool down their body.
Many dog owners think that it’s only reasonable to give such a dog plenty of cool drinking water. After all, drinking copious amounts of ice-cold liquids is what humans typically do after heavy exercise.
Dogs and humans aren’t the same, however. If you offer an exhausted dog plenty to drink immediately after exercise, their excitement can encourage them to quaff great amounts of water extremely quickly.
Here’s the problem: rapidly ingesting plenty of water can raise the likelihood of your dog swallowing a lot of air. And having too much air in the belly is associated with the development of a serious, life-threatening condition known as bloat.
The dangers of bloat
Bloat, a.k.a. Gastric Dilation Volvulus, is a potentially deadly condition that can occur when a dog’s stomach expands with excess gas, then twists within the abdomen to cause a stomach blockage.
Bloat can’t be treated at home using home remedies. A dog with bloat needs emergency surgery and should be brought to a vet’s clinic immediately. The consequences of hesitation can be fatal.
The chief cause of bloat has yet to be identified. However, it’s widely acknowledged that gulping down lots of air, which can occur when large quantities of food and/or water are ingested rapidly, plays a role in its development.
In short, your dog can end up with bloat if you give them lots of drinking water immediately after a high-energy activity.
How ice can prevent bloat
Your dog needs hydration after exercise, but giving them too much water can lead to bloat. So what can you do?
Simple: give them ice cubes instead of water.
When a dog licks ice cubes, they take in much-needed water at a slower pace, preventing the swallowing of excess air conducive to bloat development.
Alternatively, you can give your dog shaved/crushed ice. Just don’t give them too much lest they wolf it down, which brings us back to square one.
You can give an exhausted and excited dog water as long as you keep the amount small. Give them this water at intervals of several minutes.
You can combine these methods. For example, you can put three ice cubes or three tablespoons of shaved ice in a bowl containing a bit of water.
Only once your dog has calmed down after a period of rest should you allow them free access to a regular supply of water again.
Other ways to cool a dog down
In addition to offering ice to a dog that’s exhausted due to exercise, you can also take them out of the sun, put them in an air-conditioned room, have them sit in front of a fan, and wet their paws and belly using a towel soaked with cool water. You can even use a cold compress.
These methods will help not only a dog that’s recovering from strenuous physical activity but also a dog that’s suffering from heatstroke.
Heatstroke is a potentially life-threatening problem, however. Only use the above tips to comfort and calm down an afflicted dog. As soon as possible, bring them to the vet’s clinic for treatment.
Can ice damage a dog’s teeth?
Chewing on anything hard increases the risk of tooth damage. So if your dog enjoys chewing on ice cubes, the ice could end up chipping or cracking one or more of their teeth. In the worst-case scenario, your dog could even lose teeth.
A broken tooth can cause a dog severe pain. In some cases, the only way to resolve such a problem is to have the dog undergo oral surgery or a root canal.
In addition, frequently chewing on ice cubes (or any other hard substance) can cause significant erosion to the enamel (the hard external layer of the tooth). The more worn the enamel gets, the more susceptible the tooth is to cavities and infection.
Thankfully, most dogs prefer licking ice cubes.
If your dog is a regular ice-muncher, there are a few things you can do to prevent tooth damage.
First, you should know that the harder and larger the ice cube, the greater the risk of tooth damage. You should therefore offer your dog smaller ice cubes, as these melt faster and are easier to disintegrate.
Feeding your dog ice cubes less frequently also helps reduce the risk of tooth damage.
The best thing you can do, however, is to give your dog shaved/crushed ice instead of ice cubes. Shaved ice consists of tinier, much softer granules of ice that are extremely unlikely to damage teeth.
Can ice choke a dog?
Whether a dog licks or chomps down on an ice cube, the warmth of their tongue or mouth speeds up the ice’s liquefaction.
The problem is when the ice cube is extremely large. Some dogs have a habit of swallowing their food whole. If your dog swallows an enormous cube, the warmth of their mouth and throat won’t be able to melt it quickly enough. Your dog could choke as a result.
Therefore, pet parents should give their dogs smaller ice cubes, as these melt more quickly and are easier to move through the throat. Also, remember to consider your dog’s size; an ice cube that’s small for a big dog may be too large for a tiny dog.
The possibility of choking is also another reason why shaved ice is better for dogs than ice cubes.
Can teething pups have ice?
The discomfort teething causes puppies encourages them to seek things to nibble on.
Instead of giving them ice, however, it’s better to offer them a soft but durable chew toy. Just make sure the toy is from a reputable manufacturer, otherwise, your pup could end up ingesting harmful chemicals or pieces of the toy itself.
Can sick dogs have ice?
Probably, but it’s better to be sure.
A dog that’s vomiting due to a gastrointestinal problem needs water to prevent dehydration. However, giving them water or ice could just make the vomiting worse. Fortunately, vets know how to hydrate sick dogs properly.
This is why you should bring a sick dog to the vet instead of giving them ice. A vet will determine what’s wrong with your dog and provide them with the proper treatment.
In conclusion…
In general, ice poses no threat to your dog and even satisfies their need to stay hydrated.
However, the form ice takes and your dog’s behavior can contribute to issues such as tooth damage and choking. Conversely, ice consumption is an excellent way for a dog to cool down after exercise.
In short, know your dog well before feeding them ice, but don’t worry too much if they eat any!